Colleagues,
We are pleased to share this good news piece from the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District.
David
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We’re a Grant Recipient!
Healy-Driscoll Administration Awards CTI Implementation Grants
On August 5, 2025, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $24.2 million in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants to 23 school districts to train 2,490 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors across Massachusetts. The Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District is proud to be a CTI implementation grant recipient.
The CTI grant program partners with Career and Technical Education schools like ours to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers.
Since 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with Commonwealth Corporation, has awarded $53 million in CTI Grants, projected to train over 6,090 unemployed and underemployed individuals. This recent announcement launches the tenth cohort of CTI grants. Among nine awarded cohorts, to date, over 4,400 total participants have received training, over 3,150 participants have completed training, over 3,100 have earned industry-recognized credentials, and over 2,360 have secured employment.
"The CTI program opens doors for adult learners by providing the hands-on training they need to step into high-demand careers in construction, the trades, and manufacturing,” said Governor Healey. “With some of the best public Career Technical Education schools in the country and strong employer partnerships, Massachusetts is positioned to prepare our residents for rewarding, lifelong careers.”
“These awards are a key part of our agenda to build a job-ready workforce for today and the future,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “By tapping into our world-class education system and investing in targeted job training, we’re growing the talent pipeline that employers across Massachusetts depend on to compete and thrive.”
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) oversees the CTI program, which is administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public agency of EOLWD. In partnership with the Executive Office of Education, CTI transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become “Career Technical Institutes” that run three shifts a day for skill-building programs in the trades, construction, and manufacturing career pathways. The $24.2 million in awards focuses on job training for adult learners participating in the evening hours, or third shift.
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<![endif]>The Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District received $1,040,000 to provide training to 100 participants for Advanced Manufacturing, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding positions. The District will partner with Primetals Technologies USA LLC, Tessier Machine Company, Tegra Medical, Carter Electric, Kuik Electric, Renaud Electric & Communications, CPS Heating & Cooling, T&J Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing, Ace Temperature Control, Curtis Septic Service, Notturno Home Services, Santon Plumbing and Heating, Riverdale Mills Corporation, Saint Gobain Abrasives, and DC Bates Equipment Co.
“By leveraging available resources at career and technical education schools across Massachusetts, we are opening more opportunities to help train and prepare untapped talent for current workforce demands,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “This program is a great example of the collaborative efforts needed to build our workforce. We appreciate the partnership with career and technical education schools, MassHire Regional Workforce Boards, and career centers, businesses, and labor for paving the way for more job seekers to gain meaningful skills and employment in Massachusetts.”
“With this investment in career technical education, we are creating more pathways for adult learners to gain the skills and experience needed to enter high-demand industries like the trades, construction, and manufacturing,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I’m grateful to our schools and employer partners whose collaboration is helping to expand access to career-connected learning and grow our state’s workforce.”
“Vocational schools across Massachusetts continue to be the backbone of the Career Technical Initiative, delivering hands-on, high-quality training in critical industries like construction, manufacturing, and the skilled trades,” said Tom Hooper, Vice President of Sector Strategies at Commonwealth Corporation. "Their leadership and commitment are essential to building the talent pipelines our workforce needs to thrive.”
"We’re proud to partner with the Commonwealth, through the Career Technical Initiative program, to expand access to career technical education," said Mr. Anthony E. Steele II, Superintendent-Director at BVT. "This grant will allow us to deliver high-quality CTE to adults interested in upskilling and retraining, provide skilled labor to the local workforce, and generate non-taxpayer revenue to help fund the school."
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira